Participatory action research: learning from the Zona da Mata, Minas Gerais

Resumen

This article presents efforts of the international research project: “Nature’s benefits in agro-forest
frontiers: linking actor strategies, functional biodiversity and ecosystem servives” (FOREFRONT)
to embed research in the local cultural and ecological reality in the Zona da Mata,
Minas Gerais, in Brazil. FOREFRONT does this by fostering interdisciplinary cooperation within
its team of researchers and by engaging with the ongoing efforts of farmers, farmers’
organisations, other research groups and NGOs that are active in the region. Findings so far
suggest that making intense connections amongst researchers of different disciplines requires
extra effort but also enlarges the capacity of the research team to effectively engage with the
knowledge and aspirations of farmers and farmer organisations, and make research outcomes
more innovative and relevant for society. The use of participatory methodologies and a flexible
research approach are crucial for the success of this process